A post has been shared multiple times on Twitter and WhatsApp, claiming that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’adu, endorsed the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, ahead of the upcoming elections.
Some users on Twitter have shared the message under influential accounts, trying to reach a larger audience.
A part of the message reads “Hold me responsible if Peter Obi didn’t perform well, the problem of the North is from the North, not Peter Obi or an Igbo man it will be worst and deadly for the North if Tinubu wins.”
Similarly, the message noted that the message was directed to the Hausa and Fulani from Sultan ahead of the elections.
Verification:
Finding by Daily Trust revealed that the statement is false. There was no mention of when and where Sultan made the statement.
In an interview with a member of the Sultan of Sokoto’s media team, Bashir Adefaka, said his attention was called to the tweet earlier.
“The attention of the Media Team of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, has been drawn to a statement circulating on social media titled, “BREAKING: SULTAN OF SOKOTO WRITES” with an opening credited to Sultan purportedly saying, “Hold me responsible if Peter Obi didn’t perform well, the problem of the North is from the north, not Peter Obi or an Igbo man, it will be worst and more deadly for the North if Tinubu wins, if they tell you an Igbo man is the problem of Nigeria, tell them Igbo man never rule Nigeria before and north is world poverty capital
“Ordinarily, the statement should not be dignified with a pinch of reaction but because of the need to put the record straight for the sake of truth-seeking Nigerians. Recall that this is not the first time such a misleading statement would be circulated in an effort to climb on the influential personality and name of the Sultan to score political goals.
“Unfortunately for these pitiable political campaigners, the Sultan of Sokoto is strictly speaking, a traditional ruler and leader of Muslims in Africa’s most populous country. Moreso, as a retired Army General, his discipline, commitment and unalloyed to Nigeria are non-negotiable.
“It should, however, be made clear to the good people of Nigeria that this like many others in the past by the Peter Obi campaigners, would not stop the Sultan from continuing to play his role as a multifaceted leader and father of all and so, his doors will remain open to all aspirants across all parties and other meaningful people from across the country.”
Verdict
Based on available information, Daily Trust can confirm that the claim that Sultan of Sokoto has endorsed Peter Obi is false.
This fact check was produced in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)
